Ornamental display apparatus

ABSTRACT

An ornamental display apparatus that can be conveniently positioned on a flat surface such as a desktop, or alternatively can be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall. The display apparatus is uniquely molded from a moldable resin material and includes a generally planar front surface to which a plaque having an upraised pattern depicting an activity such as an athletic activity can be bonded. Additionally, the ornamental display apparatus includes a generally planar back surface to which a surface engaging support member can be removably connected when the apparatus is to be positioned on a desk or other flat surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an ornamental display apparatus that can be hung on a wall or alternatively can be positioned on a flat surface such as a desktop. More particularly the invention concerns and ornamental display apparatus that includes a base having a generally planer surface and an ornamental plaque or display piece that can be affixed to the generally planer surface.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0004] Achievement and commemorative awards of various types are frequently given to individuals and athletic teams for outstanding achievements in sports such as golf, bowling, tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer and the like. These awards include medals, small statues and a number of different types of plaques, which frequently take the form of inscribed commemorative tablets. The tablets or plaques may be hung on a wall, or alternatively may be designed to stand upright on a desk or other planer surface. A very popular type of commemorative plaque is a plaque constructed from a suitable moldable material, such as a moldable plastic that is mounted in a generally vertical orientation on a wooden, marble, or like material stand or base. In many instances a decorative design such as a figure of a golfer, bowler or basketball player displayed on the front wall of the plaque in a manner such that it can be viewed from the front of the plaque when the base is positioned on a desk or other supporting surface. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,073 issued to Greenblat et al. Other types of prior art commemorative plaques are molded from a moldable material and are provided on their front surfaces with various types of decorative designs. Once again, these types of devices are often provided with a stand so that they can be positioned on a supporting surface. Exemplary of such devices is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,091 issued to Kramer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention is to provide an attractive, ornamental display apparatus that can be conveniently positioned on a flat surface such as a desktop, or alternatively can be hung on a vertical surface such as a wall.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide an ornamental display apparatus of the aforementioned character that is uniquely molded from a moldable resin material.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental display apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs, which includes a generally planer front surface having an upraised pattern provided thereon which depicts an athletic activity.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental display apparatus of the character described, which includes a generally planer front surface to which a plaque having an upraised pattern depicting and athletic activity can be bonded.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an ornamental display apparatus which includes a generally planer front surface and a generally planer back surface to which a surface engaging support member can be removably connected when the apparatus is to be positioned on a desk or other flat surface. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an ornamental display apparatus which includes a generally planer back surface that is provided with a threaded bore which is adapted to threadably receive one end of a surface engaging support member provided in the form of an elongated metal rod.

[0010] The foregoing features of the present invention and the manner of attaining the foregoing objectives will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood from the following detailed description of the apparatus of the invention when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a generally perspective exploded view of one form of the ornamental display apparatus of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the body portion of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the body portion of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side elevational, exploded view of the body portion of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 along with a view of one form of the surface engaging support member that can be threadably affixed to the back surface of the body portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 one form of the ornamental display apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 14. The apparatus here comprises a moldable body portion 16 that includes a generally planar front surface 18 having a central portion 20 that is circumscribed by a marginal portion 22. As illustrated in FIG. 3, molded body 16 also includes a generally planar back surface 24 having an upper portion 24 a and a lower portion 24 b. Provided in lower portion 24 b of the back surface is a threaded bore 28, the purpose of which will presently be described.

[0016] The front surface of molded body portion 16 further includes a lower portion 30 that, as best seen in FIG. 1 is generally ribbon shaped, that is, has a configuration that simulates the shape of a ribbon, such as an award ribbon. Ribbon shaped lower portion 30 includes a central portion 30 a upon which indicia, such as the name of the recipient of the award, the name of the team being honored or other suitable indicia and the like, can be engraved or otherwise affixed. Provided at the lower, spaced-apart outward portions of the ribbon-like portion are surface engaging protuberances 30 b and 30 c respectively. These protuberances are adapted to engage a planar surface here shown as the upper surface of the paper upon which FIG. 1 appears. In actual use, this planar surface can take the form of a desk top, the top of a shelf, the top of a cabinet or a like planar surface.

[0017] Affixed to back surface 24 of the body portion proximate the marginal portion 22 is hanger means for hanging the display apparatus on a vertical surface such as a wall or the like. In the present form of the invention, this hanger means comprises a generally triangular shaped, metal hanger member 34 that is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the back surface 24 (FIG. 3). For this purpose, the back surface of the body portion is provided with a hollow sleeve 36 that telescopically receives the lower, horizontally extending leg of the triangularly shaped hanger member so that this lower leg can freely rotate within sleeve 36.

[0018] Forming an important aspect of the present invention is the provision of a metal support rod 40 that, as shown in FIG. 4, includes a first, rounded surface engaging end 40 a and a second threaded end 40 b. Second, threaded end 40 b is threadably received within the previously identified threaded bore 28 formed in the back surface of the molded body. When the support rod is interconnected with the molded body, the support rod will extend substantially perpendicularly from back surface 24 so that when the surface engaging end 40 a is moved into engagement with the supporting surface in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the front surface of the plaque will tilt rearwardly at an optimum angle with respect to the surface upon which the apparatus rests so that the face of the plaque can be easily viewed.

[0019] Forming another important feature of the present invention is the provision of an ornamental molded plaque 42 which, as illustrated in FIG. 1, can be interconnected with base portion 20 of the body 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1, molded plaque 42 is provided with an upraised portion 43 depicting an athletic activity, such as baseball. Plaque 42 can be affixed to body portion 16 by bonding or by other suitable interconnection means. When plaque 42 is bonded to the body portion, the apparatus comprises an integral unit having a front face provided with the upraised pattern 43 depicting an athletic activity.

[0020] The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings comprises a body portion that includes a front surface having a central portion 20 that is generally oval in shape. However, it is to be understood that this surface can have any number of different shapes including rectangular, triangular, circular, hexagonal and octagonal depending on the end use of the apparatus.

[0021] Similarly, plague 42 can be of various shapes corresponding to the shape of central portion 20. The apparatus can be provided in various colors. As for example, the face of the plaque can be silver in color while the margin can be gold in color. Alternatively, the face of the plaque can be gold and the margin can be silver

[0022] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An ornamental display apparatus comprising: (a) a molded body including: (i) a front surface having a central portion circumscribed by a marginal portion; and (ii) a back surface having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a threaded bore formed therein and including a pair of spaced-apart, surface-engaging, downwardly extending protuberances; (b) hanger means connected to said back surface of said molded body for hanging the molded body on a vertical surface; and (c) a support rod having a surface engaging first end and a second threaded end, said second threaded end being threadably received within said threaded bore formed and said back surface of said molded body.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said central portion of said front surface is provided with an upraised pattern depicting an athletic activity.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said hanger means comprises a hanger member pivotally connected to send back surface of said molded body.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said central portion of said front surface includes a generally planer face and in which said apparatus further includes an ornamental plaque affixed to said planer face.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said generally planer face is oval in shape.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said ornamental plaque is provided with an upraised pattern depicting an athletic activity.
 7. An ornamental display apparatus comprising: (a) a molded body including: (i) a front surface having a central portion circumscribed by a marginal portion; and (ii) a back surface having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a threaded bore formed therein and including a pair of spaced-apart, surface-engaging protuberances; (b) hanger means connected to said back surface of said molded body for hanging the molded body on a vertical surface, said hanger means comprising a hanger member pivotally connected to said back surface of said molded body; (c) a support rod having a rounded surface engaging first end and a second threaded end, said second threaded end being threadably received within said threaded bore formed and said back surface of said molded body; and (d) an ornamental plaque affixed to said central portion of said front surface of said molded body.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said lower portion of said molded body is generally ribbon shaped having a pair of downwardly extending portions, said pair of spaced-apart, surface-engaging protuberances being formed on said pair of downwardly extending portions.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said ornamental plaque is provided with an upraised pattern depicting an athletic activity.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said molded body is formed from a moldable resin.
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said ornamental plaque is formed from a moldable resin.
 12. An ornamental display apparatus comprising: (a) a body portion formed from a moldable resin, said body portion including: (i) a front surface having a central portion circumscribed by a marginal portion; (ii) a back surface having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a threaded bore formed therein; and (iii) a generally ribbon shaped portions formed proximate said lower portion of said back surface, said generally ribbon shaped portion having a pair of spaced apart surface engaging protuberances formed thereon; (b) hanger means connected to said back surface of said molded body for hanging the molded body on a vertical surface, said hanger means comprising a hanger member pivotally connected to said back surface of said molded body; (c) a metal support rod having a surface engaging first end and a second threaded end, said second threaded end being threadably received within said threaded bore formed and said back surface of said molded body; and (d) an ornamental plaque affixed to said central portion of said front surface of said molded body, said ornamental plaque being provided with an upraised pattern depicting an athletic activity. 